Farm Cooperatives in Brazil and Illegal Soybean Cultivation on Indigenous Lands

By Ana Mano

PASSO FUNDO, Brazil (Reuters) – Farm cooperatives in Brazil supplying major multinational agricultural firms are reportedly purchasing soybeans grown illegally on Indigenous reservations. This situation persists despite companies’ public commitments to respect Indigenous land rights and resources.

The encroachment of commercial farming onto Indigenous lands, comprising approximately 13% of Brazil’s territory, has sparked division and violent conflicts across various communities, as stated by Brazil’s federal police and other organizations.

Brazil’s constitution reserves lands for Indigenous communities, while a 1973 law prohibits renting or forming commercial crop partnerships on these lands. However, enforcement is challenging due to gaps in the penal code. While Indigenous members can legally farm soybeans, they often lack financing for commercial-scale operations.

Since 2013, soybean cultivation in the 14 Indigenous reservations of Rio Grande do Sul has increased by 23%, reaching nearly 28,000 hectares (70,000 acres). “The chiefs are profiting while the community suffers from hunger,” expressed Aldronei Rodrigues, federal police superintendent in Rio Grande do Sul.

Leasing lands remains a significant economic option for many Indigenous communities, as government policies fail to provide adequate access to credit or technical assistance. Many community members migrate for seasonal labor while others resort to illicit activities, including the cultivation of genetically modified crops on their lands.

Brazil is a leading global producer and exporter of soybeans, primarily utilized for animal feed, biofuels, and processed foods. Two major cooperatives, Cotrijal and Cotrisal, dominate soy sales in Rio Grande do Sul, with much of the harvest sold to farming cooperatives.

Indigenous leaders have confirmed that crops raised on their lands are sold to these cooperatives. Community members express the need for leasing to prevent hunger, despite it being against their will. Satellite data indicates that soy cultivation has dramatically increased on their reservations since 1985.

Cooperative representatives acknowledged the complexity of tracing the sources of their soy purchases, emphasizing that soybeans lack clear branding indicating origin. Although global agricultural firms promote sustainable practices and respect for Indigenous rights, their claims often lack comprehensive backing.

Reuters noted several legal cases involving land leasing and illegal soybean cultivation, revealing ongoing conflicts and divisions within Indigenous communities. Federal judges have criticized these practices as detrimental to community unity, reinforcing inequality.

Amidst these tensions, allegations against tribal leaders concerning management of the soy trade and related violence underline the intricacies of power struggles within Indigenous territories. Ongoing investigations ascertain the ramifications of illegal leases and the impact on community dynamics.

In conclusion, despite legal provisions for Indigenous land use, the commercial demand for soybeans continues to exploit these communities, exacerbating conflicts and raising concerns about economic inequality and human rights violations.